An Evening of Latin Jazz with Pianist Chiemi Nakai

Saturday, January 10, 2015
6:30 – 7:30PM

CRS (Center for Remembering & Sharing) invites you to an intimate solo set of Latin jazz and original compositions by pianist/composer/arranger Chiemi Nakai. Bursting with Afro-Cuban rhythms and Japanese-influenced sympathetic melodies, her music expresses a profound joy that is by turns hot and reflective. Suggested donation $15.

A native of Japan, pianist/composer/arranger Chiemi Nakai began classical training at a young age and moved in the direction of jazz, Afro-Cuban music and salsa. Her talents were recognized early by some heavy hitters such as Albert “Toottie” Heath in 1992.

In 1993, she began to play in “Mamborama,” — led by Yoshi Yamada(b) — which is the most professional Latin jazz & salsa group in Osaka, and joined its recording work in 1997 (“Japonismo”). She also played with Chie Ayado (vo), Rikiya Higashikawa (ds), Carlos Kanno (perc., vo), Gen Ogimi (perc.), who is an ex-leader of “Orquesta de la Luz,“ etc…

She came to NYC in 1998 to expand her music career and in 2000 entered Aaron Copland School of Music/Queens College to study big band jazz arrangement under Michael Phillip Mossman(tp). There she also took lessons under Sir Roland Hanna (p). She graduated Queens College/M.A. Jazz Performance in 2002.

In 2002, she joined Jimmy Bosch (tb) band and traveled to Europe and played with the New York All Stars Band with Giovanni Hidalgo (congas), Dave Valentin (fl), Jose Alberto ”El Canario” (vo) and Alfredo de la Fe (violin). From 2003 to 2004, she played with “Omi Odara” and Juan Carlos Formell (b), “The Cuban Mission” which combines Juan’s compositions with Afro-Cuban folk.

In 2006, she performed at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall with Carlos del Pino (b) Cuban project, which connected with Cuban traditional music and contemporary music. She currently plays with Los Mas Valientes (Latin Jazz), Ye-ra son (Charanga), Mario Rodriguez (b) group (Latin Pop) and so on. And also she performs with Chiemi Nakai & Her Afro-Cuban Jazz Project at several clubs in NYC such as Blue Note, Europe Club, Willie’s steak house, Kitano Hotel, etc…. Her album “bridges” was released in January, 2008, and she is currently finishing up a new album to be released in 2015.

Tags

Music

Organized by

Center for Remembering & Sharing

Contact

info@crsny.org

Related Events